GAA18CA274

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that the approach was stable, but during the landing roll, when applying the brakes, the airplane veered to the right. He released he brakes because he thought he needed to in order to maintain directional control, but he then reapplied the brakes. Subsequently, he added full power to go around, and after becoming airborne, the airplane turned left. The right wing struck a runway sign, the student reduced power, the airplane landed, and he applied the brakes to stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the stabilator. The Safety Manager of the flight school reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 13 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 210° at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 05. The student pilot reported that the approach was stable, but during the landing roll, when applying the brakes, the airplane veered to the right. He released the brakes because he thought he needed to maintain directional control, but he then reapplied the brakes. Subsequently, he added full power to go around, and after becoming airborne, the airplane turned left. The right wing struck a runway sign, the student reduced power and landed the airplane, and he then applied the brakes to stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the stabilator. The flight school's safety manager reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 13 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 210° at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 05. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Effect on operation
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Contributed to outcome